Casio EX-H20G vs Sony RX10 IV: A Detailed Hands-On Comparison for Discerning Photographers

Choosing the right camera requires balancing feature sets, real-world usability, and value for your particular style of photography. In this in-depth comparison, I put two fundamentally different cameras head to head - the diminutive Casio EX-H20G, a budget-friendly compact from 2010, and the heavyweight Sony RX10 IV, a 2017 large sensor superzoom bridge camera aimed at pros and serious enthusiasts. Both feature long zooms and fixed lenses, but beyond that, they serve very different photographic needs and markets.

Having spent hundreds of hours behind both cameras, I’ll break down how each performs across all major photographic disciplines, diving into sensors, lenses, autofocus, ergonomics, and video. You’ll get a robust understanding of the capabilities and limitations each offers so you can confidently decide which aligns with your creative ambitions and budget.

First Impressions: Size, Handling, and Interface

Without a doubt, the most immediate difference is the physical presence of these two cameras. The Casio EX-H20G essentially slips into a jacket pocket weighing just 216 grams, whereas the Sony RX10 IV is a substantial 1.1 kg SLR-style powerhouse. This contrast speaks volumes about their respective ambitions.

The EX-H20G measures a mere 103 x 68 x 29 mm - ultraportable but somewhat toy-like in the hand. It lacks a viewfinder and settles for a fixed, non-touch 3-inch LCD with a modest 461k-dot resolution. You manage all settings through a couple dials and buttons, which are small but logically placed.

Conversely, the RX10 IV’s 133 x 94 x 145 mm body offers a deeply satisfying grip, with a pronounced thumb rest and a substantial lens barrel that gives the classic DSLR handling feel despite a fixed lens. The rear sports a bright, tilting 3-inch 1.44M-dot touchscreen paired with a high-resolution 2.35M-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) that covers 100% frame and provides excellent eye-level shooting fidelity.

On the control side, the RX10 IV shines with multiple customizable dials, dedicated AF/MF switches, exposure compensation, and a well-laid-out menu system accessed via a rich touchscreen interface. The Casio feels more like a simple point-and-shoot: zoom rocker, shutter button, and mode dial dominate, with fewer options for granular control.

Hands-on takeaway: The RX10 IV is the clear winner for serious photographers valuing ergonomics, precision controls, and interface flexibility; the EX-H20G suits casual shooters who prize portability and easy setup.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: Small vs Large Sensor Debate

Where these two differ most profoundly is sensor design. The Casio EX-H20G uses a legacy 1/2.3" CCD sensor measuring 6.17 x 4.55 mm, with a diagonal of approximately 7.7 mm. It offers 14 megapixels and an ISO range of 64-3200. By contrast, the RX10 IV houses a much larger 1" BSI CMOS sensor (13.2 x 8.8 mm), boasting 20 MP native resolution and a native ISO range of 125-12800 (expandable to 64-25600).

From a practical viewpoint, sensor size impacts noise performance, dynamic range, depth of field control, and low-light capability. The RX10 IV’s sensor is nearly 4x larger in area than the Casio’s, placing it firmly in the “large sensor” category for bridge cameras and closer in size to Micro Four Thirds sensors.

Image Quality Observations:

• The Casio EX-H20G’s images are soft by today’s standards with limited dynamic range. The CCD sensor tends to produce noisier images above ISO 400, and highlights clip early under challenging lighting. Color reproduction is decent for a compact but lacks depth and nuance.

• The RX10 IV delivers tack-sharp images with excellent detail resolution throughout its zoom range, owing in part to Sony’s advanced BSI sensor design and superior image processing (Bionz X engine). Low-light performance is exceptional for its class, maintaining usable detail up to ISO 3200 and beyond with manageable noise. Dynamic range is broad, allowing you to pull shadows and highlights elegantly in post.

Resolution and Crop Factor:
The Casio’s 14 MP resolution is adequate for 8x10 prints and web use, but insufficient if you want to crop heavily or print large. The RX10 IV’s 20 MP sensor enables more cropping flexibility without compromise.

Lens Quality’s Role:
Raw sensor power can only take you so far; optical performance must also be strong. The Casio’s lens is slow (F3.2-5.7) and suffers from noticeable chromatic aberrations and distortion at the wide and tele ends. The Sony’s Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens is bright throughout (F2.4-4.0) and optically sharp edge-to-edge - a testament to Sony’s flagship pedigree.

In summary: for image quality, the Sony RX10 IV clearly beats the Casio EX-H20G - a fact any serious photographer will appreciate, especially beyond casual snapshots.

Autofocus Performance: Reactive and Reliable vs Basic Contrast Detection

Autofocus (AF) is a make-or-break feature depending on your shooting requirements. The Casio relies on a traditional contrast-detection AF system with no phase-detect elements or hybrid AF. It features no face detection or eye tracking, and the number of focus points is unspecified but limited. Focusing speed is sluggish, notably in low-contrast or low-light environments.

The RX10 IV is equipped with 315 phase-detect AF points and full hybrid AF (phase + contrast detection), featuring Sony’s lightning-fast Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals. Its continuous AF tracking performance is industry-leading in the bridge camera segment, and it can shoot up to 24 fps with AF/AE tracking, rivaling many enthusiast DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.

In the field:

• The Casio struggles to lock focus quickly on moving subjects and often hunts, which compromises shooting action, wildlife, or sports.

• The Sony’s AF system handles everything from fast-moving birds to children playing sports effortlessly, maintaining sharp focus and minimizing missed shots.

Practical implication: If autofocus responsiveness is paramount - say you pursue wildlife or sports photography - the RX10 IV is your tool. For casual travel or street photography where speed is less critical, the EX-H20G is passable but far from exhilarating.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: A Study in Contrasts

The Casio EX-H20G’s compact, plastic body feels adequate but uninspiring. It offers no environmental sealing - no dust, splash, shock, or freeze protection - making it vulnerable to rough outdoor use.

On the other end, the Sony RX10 IV boasts a robust magnesium alloy chassis with extensive weather sealing against dust and moisture. This durability is a bona fide feature for landscape, wildlife, and travel professionals who shoot in challenging conditions.

Weight and Portability:

• The lightweight Casio’s compactness remains a plus for everyday carry and spontaneous shooting.

• The heavier Sony demands more deliberate transport and is less discreet but rewards you with toughness and confident handling when trekking rugged locations.

For anyone shooting outdoors regularly, the RX10 IV is simply in a different class. Casual shooters might overlook the Casio’s fragility due to convenience.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Control Faithfulness vs Simplicity

The Casio’s fixed rear screen is unremarkable, small in resolution, lacking touch capabilities, and is not articulated. The lack of any viewfinder - optical or electronic - pushes you to rely solely on the LCD, which can be limiting in bright light.

The Sony RX10 IV’s 3-inch tilting touchscreen elevates compositional options enormously and offers intuitive focusing and menu navigation. Its high-res EVF is a joy for manual focus and framing, especially in tricky lighting.

Menu systems differ drastically:

• Casio provides a simple UI with minimal settings. No manual exposure modes mean you are locked mostly to fully automatic or scene modes.

• Sony offers expansive control - full PASM modes, customizable buttons, individual exposure compensation, and multiple AF modes - satisfying both beginners wanting guidance and pros wanting full control.

Lens Compatibility and Focal Length Versatility

Both cameras feature fixed lenses, but their specs couldn’t be more different:

• Casio EX-H20G: 24-240 mm equivalent (10x zoom), aperture F3.2-5.7, limited close-focusing at 7 cm macro.

• Sony RX10 IV: 24-600 mm equivalent (25x zoom), aperture F2.4-4.0, macro focusing down to 3 cm, with minimal distortion and excellent corner sharpness.

The RX10 IV’s massive zoom range coupled with a brighter lens gives you astonishing creative flexibility. From sweeping landscapes at 24 mm to wildlife and sports from afar at 600 mm, this lens is a real all-in-one.

The Casio’s range is respectable for a compact but won’t keep pace in reach or brightness - its slow aperture further constrains low-light shooting and controlling depth of field.

Battery Life and Storage: Ready When You Are vs Limited Endurance

Battery life is often overlooked but critically practical. The Casio uses the NP-90 battery, which lacks published CIPA standards but generally offers limited shots per charge due to compact size and older technology.

The Sony NP-FW50 battery, despite powering a larger sensor and advanced electronics, delivers a solid 400 shot per charge rating, extending usability in the field. This improved longevity makes the RX10 IV a reliable partner on long shoots or travel.

Storage-wise, both use SD cards, but the Sony additionally supports Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick formats, providing extra options for compatibility.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Early Adoption vs Modern Integration

The Casio EX-H20G offers Eye-Fi wireless card compatibility, an early solution for wireless image transfer, but that technology is now largely obsolete and cumbersome.

The RX10 IV incorporates built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC, supporting seamless image transfer to smartphones or computers and remote control via apps - a major advantage in today’s connected workflows.

Video Capabilities: Basic HD vs 4K Pro-Grade

Here, the divide remains large.

• Casio captures up to 1280x720p (HD) at 30 fps, encoded in H.264, with no external microphone input or manual video controls. Videos tend to be noisy and inside a modest bit rate envelope.

• Sony shoots 4K UHD (3840x2160) at up to 30p in high-quality MPEG-4/AVCHD/XAVC S formats, with full manual exposure control, slow-motion, and advanced autofocus tracking. It supports microphone and headphone ports, enabling professional-level audio capture and monitoring.

For video creatives seeking quality and control, the RX10 IV far outmatches the Casio.

Real-World Photography Genre Assessment

To give you a clearer idea, here’s how each camera fares across the most popular photography disciplines:

Casio EX H20G front Casio EX H20G screen back Sony RX10 IV front Sony RX10 IV screen back

Performance Ratings Summary

After exhaustive testing in controlled environments and in-the-field shoots, here is our overall assessment:

Who Should Buy Which Camera?

Casio EX-H20G:

This camera targets casual users on a tight budget who prize portability and simplicity over image quality and advanced features. If you want a lightweight travel companion, an affordable first camera for vacation snapshots, or a discreet point-and-shoot, it delivers basic functionality without fuss.

Ideal for:

• Hobbyists wanting a simple device for daylight shooting
• Travelers needing a pocket-friendly zoom
• Beginners on a strict budget

Sony RX10 IV:

A versatile beast, the RX10 IV demands a significant investment but serves a wide range of users exceptionally well - from wildlife photographers needing long reach and rapid AF to videographers looking for 4K quality. It’s an all-in-one hybrid solution that can substitute DSLRs in many scenarios due to its sensor size, lens quality, and comprehensive controls.

Ideal for:

• Serious enthusiasts and pros seeking a superzoom with quality
• Photojournalists and wildlife shooters needing speed and reliability
• Video creators wanting professional-level recording and audio monitoring
• Travelers willing to carry larger gear for increased creative control

Final Thoughts: Legacy Compact vs Modern Superzoom - A Clear Winner Emerges

Having rigorously tested these cameras across varied lighting, subjects, and shooting styles, the choice is largely dictated by your photographic priorities and budget.

The Casio EX-H20G, while competent for basic snapshots, feels dated today. Its small CCD sensor, sluggish AF, and minimal controls limit its creative horizons and image results. Yet, its portability and ease of use mean it remains a handy travel companion for casual use.

On the other hand, the Sony RX10 IV impresses on all counts. The combination of a large 1" BSI CMOS sensor, an exceptionally versatile 24-600 mm constant-quality lens, blazing autofocus, 4K video, and rugged weather sealing establishes it as a formidable bridge camera worthy of professional workflows. Despite its heft and price, it packs an incredible amount of technology into one package.

So, if you’re serious about image quality, autofocus, and multimedia capability, and your budget allows, the RX10 IV is a worthy investment. Meanwhile, if ease of use and portability top your list, with budget constraints in mind, the EX-H20G can fulfill basic needs.

As photography gear evolves at breakneck speed, comparing these two cameras offers an illuminating study of how sensor tech, optics, and usability have transformed in just a few years. Whenever choosing your next camera, prioritize features aligned with your shooting style - not the glossiest spec sheet. The right tool is the one that inspires your best work where it counts: behind the lens.

Sample shots, more testing notes, and detailed specifications in appendices available on request.